առաւիր

Etymology

The origin is unknown.

Ačaṙyan wonders whether the first part is the preposition առ (aṙ) and leaves the origin open.

According to Ałayan, the word originally meant “empty, vain talk” and is composed of the preposition առ(ա)- (aṙ(a)-) +‎ *վիր (*vir, “nonsense, silly prattle”), a hypothetical unattested root from Proto-Indo-European *werh₁- (“to speak”). He also connects վեռ (veṙ).

According to J̌ahukyan, the word is probably composed of the preposition առ (aṙ) +‎ *ավիր (*avir); the latter an unknown root perhaps of Iranian origin.

Adverb

առաւիր • (aṙawir)

1. in vain

   թէ առաւիր ― tʿē aṙawir ― in vain

References

• Petrosean, H. Matatʿeay V. (1879), “առաւիր”, in Nor Baṙagirkʿ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
• Awetikʿean, G.; Siwrmēlean, X.; Awgerean, M. (1836–1837), “առաւիր”, in Nor baṙgirkʿ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
• Ačaṙean, Hračʿeay (1971), “առաւիր”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Dictionary of Armenian Root Words] (in Armenian), volume I, 2nd edition, Yerevan: University Press, page 256a
• Ałayan, Ēduard (1974) Baṙakʿnnakan ew stugabanakan hetazotutʿyunner [Lexicological and Etymological Studies] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Academy Press, pages 23–24
• J̌ahukyan, Geworg (2010), “առաւիր”, in Vahan Sargsyan, editor, Hayeren stugabanakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Asoghik, page 73b